SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Making its first NCAA Softball Regional appearance in program history, South Dakota will represent the Summit League in the Lincoln Regional after capturing the league tournament title. The Coyotes begin postseason play Friday against the No. 1 seed and host, Nebraska, while Louisville and Grand Canyon square off in the regional’s other opening-round contest.
NCAA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Lincoln Regional
Date | Stream/TV | Central Time
Friday, May 15
G1: (8) Louisville vs. Grand Canyon | (EU) | 3 p.m.
G2: (1) Nebraska vs. South Dakota | (E+) | 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16
G3: Winner of G1 vs. Winner of G2 | 12 p.m.
G4: Loser of G1 vs. Loser of G2 | 2:30 p.m.
- Loser Eliminated
G5: Winner of G4 vs. Loser of G3 | 5 p.m.
- Possible Loser Eliminated
Sunday, May 17
G6: Winner of G3 vs. Winner of G5 | 2 p.m.
G7: Winner of G6 vs. Loser of G6 (if necessary) | 4:30 p.m.
Key: EU (ESPNU), E+ (ESPN+)
AROUND THE LEAGUE
SOUTH DAKOTA COYOTES (20-34-1, 7-11 SL) | @SDCoyotesSB
Next Up: NCAA Tournament - at (1) Nebraska | 5:30 p.m. CT
Previous Games: Summit League Championship - G1 vs. No. 5 Kansas City (W,
5-4); G3 vs. No. 1 Omaha (W, 1-0); G6 vs. No. 6 South Dakota State (W, 2-0); G8 vs. No. 1 Omaha (L, 1-10); G9 vs. No. 1 Omaha (W, 2-1)
NCAA Tournament History (Last): 0-0 (1st appearance, last 2026)
NCAA Tournament Best Finish (Last): N/A
Summit League Championship History: 18-24 (13th appearance)
Summit League Championship Titles (Last): 1 (2026)
• South Dakota captured its first Summit League Softball Championship in program history with a 2-1 victory over Omaha in the title game last Sunday in Minneapolis, Minn.
• The Coyotes avenged last season’s championship game loss to Omaha, which was played on SDSU’s campus in Brookings, S.D.
• South Dakota became the lowest seed to win the Summit League Tournament since Western Illinois in 2008 (No. 4 seed).
• With the tournament title, South Dakota secured the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament and will open play Friday, May 15, against No. 1 overall seed and regional host Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb.
• South Dakota (20-34-1) rebounded after suffering a 10-1 run-rule defeat to Omaha in Game 1 of the championship round.
• Sophomore pitcher Madison Evans (16-13) delivered a complete-game performance in the winner-take-all finale, allowing one hit, no earned runs, and striking out eight.
• Evans recorded her 20th complete game of the season in the championship clincher.
• Sara Iburg and Camryn Kersten each drove in runs during South Dakota’s two-run second inning, accounting for all of the Coyotes’ offense in the title game.
• Kersten was the lone Coyote with a multi-hit game in the championship victory, going 2-for-3 at the plate.
• South Dakota enters NCAA Tournament play with an RPI of No. 159, the fourth-highest mark among Summit League programs.
• The NCAA Tournament appearance marks the first in program history for the Coyotes.
• The Coyotes improved to 18-24 all-time in Summit League Tournament games with the championship run.
• Omaha had won three straight tournament titles before South Dakota’s championship victory.
• South Dakota became the 12th different program to win a Summit League Softball Tournament title.
CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Wednesday, May 6
G1: (4) South Dakota 5, (5) Kansas City 4
G2: (3) North Dakota State 2, (6) South Dakota State 14
Thursday, May 7
G3: (1) Omaha 0, (4) South Dakota 1
G4: (2) St. Thomas 5, (6) South Dakota State 7
G5: (1) Omaha 12, (2) St. Thomas 2
Friday, May 8
G6: (4) South Dakota 2, (6) South Dakota State 0
G7: (1) Omaha 8, (6) South Dakota State 0
Saturday, May 9
G8: (1) Omaha 10, (4) South Dakota 1
G9: (1) Omaha 1, (4) South Dakota 2
#SummitSB
